Worlds colliding in all the best ways, what an honor to submerge myself in a @rlstrayerwrites piece again, with such a lovely group of artists and supporters. 💙🛁
LAERTES DIES TOO
by Rachel Luann Strayer
Directed by iyla a. stebbins
CAST
Noah Askew (ADAM), Greyson Yousif (LAERTES), Kat Anne Thorpe (OPHELIA), Madi Burt (JANE), and Georgie Staley (MOM), with stage directions read by Gwen Tulin
Presented readers’ theatre style at the Philadelphia Writers Alumni House, produced by Creative Works of Lancaster & Lancaster Dramatists’ Platform
March 21, 2026 at 2 p.m.
I am so blessed to have worked with this fantastic group of artists. Thank you to everyone who came to see LAERTES DIES TOO and especially to the amazing people who made it happen. 💙 @cwlanc@iystebbs
Honored to direct Rachel’s latest masterpiece-in-progress, two years after directing DROWNING OPHELIA. Hope to see you in PA! 💙🛁
The Lancaster Dramatists’ Platform presents a staged reading of LAERTES DIES TOO by Rachel Luann Strayer this Saturday, March 21st, at 2:00 p.m. at the Franklin & Marshall College Philadelphia Alumni Writers House, 633 College Avenue in Lancaster. The event is co-sponsored by the Writers House and Creative Works of Lancaster.
A 2025 semi-finalist for the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center National Playwrights Conference and a 2024 semi-finalist for Premiere Stages at Kean University, LAERTES DIES TOO is a dark comedy that seeks to explore the origins of abuse within families and the trauma it leaves behind.
The stunning cast of actors includes Detroit actors Noah Askew, Greyson Yousif, and Madi Burt; local Lancaster favorites Kat Anne Thorpe and Georgie Staley-Ford; and stage directions read by Gwen Tulin.
last first day of grad school!
I’ll be holding back tears all semester. I blinked and I’m about to have an MFA in Theatre Management. This has been the culmination of years of hard work, tough life decisions, and constant efforts to improve myself as an artist, leader, and human.
The collaborations, mentors, and experiences I’ve had at Wayne State University will guide me the rest of my life. It’s been an honor bringing previous knowledge and experiences here too, continuing to work on my craft and assist others with finding success in the theatre industry.
I will always fight for equity, inclusion, and excellence in higher education and theatre, and will continue that fight long after I walk across that stage at the end of this semester.
Thank you for the love, the support, the ticket sales, the reposts, and everything. I love nothing more than bringing people together for quality live entertainment. I hope my work, like so many of the people I admire in this industry, continues to create unforgettable experiences for audiences. I hope I can continue to share the artists and stories I’m absolutely obsessed about with you all. I hope you enjoy them.
This whole thing is so much bigger than me, but damn, am I proud of the part I get to play in making live theatre happen. Thank you. #untilnexttime
Completely geeking out at the incredible photos captured by Dylan Charles and Gioia Lerini from our final dress of THE MAD ONES! 👏
There's one more chance TODAY at 7:30 p.m. to see this musical The Underground Theatre Company students were "mad" enough to help me produce in a literal hallway in the Hilberry Gateway.
THE MAD ONES
by Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk
📅 December 19-20 at 7:30 p.m.
📍Lobby Gallery - Hilberry Gateway
🎟️ onstage.wayne.edu
Special thanks to the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance for understanding that performance can and should happen anywhere, and the love, dedication, talent, and passion these students bring to every project they tackle are the exact reason why I jump at every opportunity to collaborate and create in theatre.
From Drowning Ophelia to Blood at the Root to Almost, Maine to Emilia to The Mad Ones, I have loved every second of helping direct and lead quality programming in this space, bringing new stories and creating new relationships with our audiences, introducing them to their new favorite play or performer. It's been an honor beyond words. #untilnexttime
Director: iyla a. stebbins
Music Director: Cole VanAmberg
Stage Manager: Abby Grant
Lighting & Sound Design: Luke Anderson
Featuring:
Giana Lerini as SAM
Rachel Garr as KELLY
Taylor Salter as BEVERLY
Connor K. Currie as ADAM
Beautiful pics by @dgphotography_24
THE MAD ONES is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
We open THE MAD ONES tonight. And then do it again tomorrow. And then it goes away. I FEEL LIKE I AM DIRECTING MY OWN 13 GOING ON 30 BUT AS A POP CONCERT OR SOMETHING AND AHHHHH IT IS THE BEST!!!
This team has been a dream to work with and took on this challenging project, running with it at a time when all of us were expecting a moment to breathe after finals. You wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at them onstage, and that’s a testament to the stage management and leadership of @pixie.styxx .
I can’t put into words what it’s felt like to bring this story to life. These characters feel so painfully alive to me, reflecting all the unknowns of life after high school graduation and the loved ones who might not be in my life anymore, but were the beautiful light through which I navigated the darkness of that HUGE transition from a teen to the weird adult-but-only-kind-of days of college.
Plus, sick pop songs (conducted by the best Music Director @colevanamberg ) that’ll make you want to get out of your seat and dance with them, and dope lighting design by @loopy_dingo .
I’m so proud of the art we have been able to create in a literal hallway in the lobby of the Hilberry Gateway. Truly, I’m living the dream! 💜
Get tickets! 🎟️ onstage.wayne.edu
THE MAD ONES by Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk
📅 December 19-20 at 7:30 p.m.
📍Lobby Gallery - Hilberry Gateway
